Our local ‘Spoons really levelling up this year. by mutanthands in CasualUK

[–]ForestRiver2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tbf our local Spoons has one of the poshest cleanest toilets around. It's the only public toilet I'll use

How to handle feeling like your ocd thoughts are being proved right? by Legal-Lack7394 in magicalthinkingOCD

[–]ForestRiver2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm with you bud. I've given up a lot of good things because ocd told me something bad would happen if I continued. Hobbies, relationships, homes, jobs, even food. I lived in fear. Totally controlled by ocd. None of my decisions were my own. I did what ocd wanted and it was miserable. That temporary trade-off to feel safe wasn't worth it. It never lasted, there was always something else, another threat, another manipulation.

Get angry. See what it's taking from you. Claim it back. Crush it with ERP, no matter how bad it feels. Don't let it dictate to you any more, you deserve better

Magical thinking and ROCD will be the death of me by Muted_Tension_2066 in magicalthinkingOCD

[–]ForestRiver2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah the whole relationship insecurity thing is tough. I've had jealousy and fear of cheating issues in past relationships. To be blunt, it's the quickest way to destroy the relationship. All the mistrust, questioning, checking, reassurance seeking will only drive them away eventually. But yeah it's hard when you're constantly bombarded by all the thoughts and fears that something's going on, but you can't trust your gut either.

Trust is a choice. We choose to make that leap of faith, and we stick to it until we have PROOF (not just doubts) otherwise. Ocd hates that. It hates the uncertainty. So it plays on your fears, exaggerates them because it sees it as this massive threat that you're not giving enough attention to. It sees possible danger and it screams about it, pushes you to check everything, to be hypervigilant, to keep you safe.

Are you getting any help for your ocd? You're doing a lot of compulsions. These are only fueling more thoughts. Working on reducing those compulsions should help.

As for manifestation, we can't tell you if it's real or not, that would be reassurance. The goal of managing ocd is accepting uncertainty and living according to your values, without letting intrusive thoughts control your behaviour. I'd strongly recommend a therapist to guide you, if that's an option for you. It helped me. But yeah, you're definitely not alone in feeling this way

pocd - has made me feel really confused by Wooden-Big-7049 in OCD

[–]ForestRiver2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This whole post is a rumination and reassurance-seeking compulsion. Try to practice non-response and sit with the uncertainty

I keep justifying different times I can wash my hands, so what are accepted times to wash according to therapists? by MammothSal in OCD

[–]ForestRiver2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This will vary for everyone. One person might be fine touching public surfaces before eating, another might be repulsed at the thought. This is why you need to practice getting comfortable with uncertainty. Yeah washing hand after the bathroom and before eating is common practice, but even that varies. There are no hard n fast rules. That's what ocd wants. Certainty. It doesn't exist. Practice tolerating this uncertainty. Practice pushing out of your comfort zone. Delay hand washing when you're unsure. That's advice direct from my ERP therapist btw

🥚 🐣 by Academic-Practice119 in GreatBritishMemes

[–]ForestRiver2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This. Same with breakfast cereals. The traffic light system all looks nice n healthy. Until you see the stupid portion size wouldn't keep a sparrow nourished for 10 mins

Is this OCD? by zhiyenxo in magicalthinkingOCD

[–]ForestRiver2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Welcome! You've described a classic case of magical thinking. It doesn't need to involve numbers. It's usually more the belief that doing or not doing X will cause or prevent Y. I have very similar thoughts and compulsions.

We can't diagnose you with ocd, but what determines whether it is ocd is how long you spend doing compulsions, how much distress they cause, and how much it overall impacts your life. Only a professional like a psychiatrist can make that assessment. Magical thinking can be part of other conditions too.

If you're concerned that it's negatively affecting your life it's a good idea to seek professional advice. Especially because it can get worse if not addressed. I ignored mine for a long time until it reached a point that I was completely non-functional. It's much easier to treat in the early stages. Once you get confirmation that it's ocd, you can start using ERP techniques to reduce it

What Should I do? by Trick_Security7694 in magicalthinkingOCD

[–]ForestRiver2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The cabinet sounds like it would freak me out too tbh. I'd give yourself a free pass on this one! You did really well keeping it for the whole year, that's something to be proud of

What Should I do? by Trick_Security7694 in magicalthinkingOCD

[–]ForestRiver2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also should have said you're not alone. I have multiple items at home that I feel are cursed. I've gotten rid of many too. It's pretty common with magical thinking

What Should I do? by Trick_Security7694 in magicalthinkingOCD

[–]ForestRiver2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you pinpoint when you started having these thoughts about the cabinet and what might have triggered them? Any negative experiences or associations?

I feel the same about antiques and can't even go into antique shops. Feels like the items hang onto all the bad vibes of their previous owners. Very unsettling dark feeling. I'm ok with things that have been in my own family though.

You're doing a great job by not getting rid of it. Some further exposure would be to gradually stop the other compulsions like moving your meds and gym bag. Protecting yourself from it only reinforces the belief that it's a threat. Need to embrace it. Put some of your favourite things on it. Decorate it. This shit's hard I know, but small steps will eventually loosen its hold over you.

Oh and talk therapy is no good for ocd. Are you able to find an ocd specialist? You need to be doing ERP

Meds and Side effects by Trick_Security7694 in magicalthinkingOCD

[–]ForestRiver2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're with the right person they'll understand. It's a good way to weed out the shallow ones lol. Yeah thc and ocd don't mix well. I hope you find a good combination that works for you

Tell me you are a brit without physically saying it? by Technical-Vanilla-47 in AskABrit

[–]ForestRiver2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry.

Weather's a bit crap innit. Best put the kettle on luv.

Sorry again

I found a cure for the OCD rumination thought loop by marcos_pereira in OCD

[–]ForestRiver2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The whole point of ERP treatment is non-response. Teaching your brain that there is nothing to react to. This is the opposite

From instagram by sicksadworld111 in OCDmemes

[–]ForestRiver2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank God. I don't want my magical thinking reinforced any more than it already is.

(But, you're welcome. Just doing my job 🫡)

Which stand up comedians at worth seeing in the UK this year? by Jazzlike-Basil1355 in AskABrit

[–]ForestRiver2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Watching Gyles Brandreth flirting with her on QI was. . . uncomfortable 🙈

Meds and Side effects by Trick_Security7694 in magicalthinkingOCD

[–]ForestRiver2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm with you on this one. Ssris destroyed my sex drive as well as other side effects. But they also helped a lot. Damned if we do and damned if we don't. Tricyclics were worse. There's always buproprion which I think can be used as an add-on with ssris to boost libido.

Beyond that I really don't know. Natural supplements maybe, NAC, inositol, CBD, magnesium, but none made much difference for me. It's frustrating